Wedding Church: Reserved!

After we have finalized our wedding date, I asked my brother, Zander, to go to Holy Family Parish Church to reserve the date for us.

We were already briefed about the church guidelines and requirements. They are very strict with this guidelines. 

The couple is expected to have their confession also a day before the wedding. I admire how they make the couple realize that a wedding is not a celebration but an occasion. And guests are expected to be dressed accordingly. They do not allow many unnecessary decorations in their church. 

They even have the traditional wedding rehearsals to be held a day before the wedding. And the entourage is expected to be in complete attendance because they won't let you be a part of the entourage on the wedding day if you won't be able to attend this rehearsal. 

We will also be attending a pre-cana seminars a month before our wedding date.

We will be revisiting them prolly by mid July or August to submit a few requirements. 

Each day I get more thrilled! 

Save The Date!

It took me a few days to finally accept the fact that there are things that wouldn't go as you've planned it to be. After a few healthy arguments with Waldz, we have finally decided to stick with our church and change the wedding date. It is not easy to find a church which will give you "the" wedding feeling. Besides, we also have family and friends who won't be able to attend the wedding if we push through with our desired date.

Anyway, we have decided to move our wedding date on January 9, 2016. It is a Saturday. More convenient for everyone. (Yey!)

Just when we thought that everything will be smooth sailing from there, my Aunt told me that my cousin is planning to have a 20teen-debut-ish birthday party on January 9th. It was her birthday on that day. I immediately sent a text message to my cousin. I asked her about her birthday plans, and told her our intention to have our wedding on her birthday. She immediately confirm that she would gladly give way and will just move her party prolly the week before ours. She is such an angel! Thank you, Shine!

So, SAVE THE DATE!

First Wedding Trip To Baguio: (Part 2)

After the heartbreaking visit to our chosen church, we headed straight to our chosen reception venue. Frangeli House is only a few blocks away from the church. We even opted to walk going there.

From the moment we got passed through the elegant black gate, to the barking guard dog, up to being warmly accommodated by the receptionist, geez! I AM SO IN LOVE! It was love at first sight, second sight, third sight, and every sight. I am not exaggerating. I was just really so in love with the place. Frangeli House had me at hello!

I was very willing to sign all the contracts just so I can reserve the date but since we do not have enough money (yet) to pay for the initial deposit, we were unable to reserve the date. Besides, we still need to think if were willing to give up either the date or the church venue.

This is a big stylish house with a wide front and back yard. It may seem costly but the place is definitely worth every penny! It is the best venue for a laid back garden wedding.

They have well maintained their place. Imagine a country wedding in the US, plus the cool breeze in Baguio, it is definitely a perfect dream wedding spot. You can hold both the ceremony and reception  there. Plus free usage of the common rooms in their first floor. They have this classy living room with a fireplace and a piano, a library, an elegant dining room, and a mini conference room. And you also get a complimentary room for two which you can use either a day before or on the day of your wedding. The rental fee is costly, and it may cost more depending on the season. But the rental fee will be for the whole day rent of the place.

We were warmly accommodated by Terry, the receptionist. She toured us around and was even kind enough to show us the rooms in the 2nd and 3rd floors. Once you have booked a date, they are automatically blocking 3 days before and 3 days after your event, just to make sure you won't be disturbed by outsiders. They are totally after quality over quantity!

I was unable to take any photos since it is prohibited and should have a consent first before being shared in the internet. That explains why I barely see any pictures of this place when I Google-d it.

So when we left the place, I can't stop talking about it. I am so sure in my heart that I really want to have the our wedding reception here. Can't wait!!!

First Wedding Trip To Baguio: (Part 1)

Baguio is about 6-8 hours away from Manila. And like what I said from my previous post, we will only have a few limited weekends to go to Baguio. So we have to make sure that we make most of our trip. We have to plan and organize our time and appointments. Prior travelling there, I have already have my top choices of church, reception venue, photographer/videographer, and caterers, which were all pre-approved by Waldz of course. I have called them and set some appointments to meet them on the day we planned to go there.

March 22, 2015 (Sunday)
Waldz and I went to Baguio. We were late. So sadly we have to cancel our appointment with the potential caterer and the p/v. Being the OC-type in planning an event, I was a little pissed.

Anyway, according to most of the posts I have read, the first thing you need to accomplish is the confirmation of the date. We went to church we've chosen, Holy Family Parish Church. It is located at Bakakeng Norte. It was both our first time to go there. We were honestly both excited and nervous when we entered the church. It was huge. It can accommodate at least 300 guests, I think. It was simple and is suitable for our wedding theme, too. I looked at Waldz and asked him what he thinks. I wanted to make sure he is having the same "This is it!" feeling I currently have. I was relieved to hear him say that it was perfect! Whew!

It half past 3 and there was no mass yet. We found 2 guys and a lady practising  (I think they're part of the choir). We asked them where the church office is at. And they were polite enough to lead us the right directions. We were welcomed by a lady (forgot her name, sorry). We told her our intentions to get married in their church. She asked us questions and was a bit surprised that we chose their church, since it was not really that famous. She asked us our target date. With no hesitations, I told her that we plan to get married on January 25, 2016 (Monday).

The Sad truth
The lady said that the church strictly do not hold weddings on Sundays and Mondays. It's either we look for a different church who will be available on our preferred date or we stick to our chosen church but have to reschedule. I was sad and either way does not work for me. So even if we were ready to reserve the church right then and there, we didn't because we still need to talk about it.

I told Waldz how I really want the church. He knows how resistant I am to change, so he knows that this is something we can not decide impulsively. Sigh.

Choosing Our Wedding Location

I am a lucky bride-to-be because my fiancée had given me the authority to choose where I want us to get married.

At first I thought it was a good idea to have it here in Manila so we can conveniently plan the wedding. And so we did. We attended several bridal fairs (it's the season for bridal fairs), went to some Grand food tasting to our chosen caterers, spoked to a lot of potential wedding suppliers, did some ocular visits to promising venues, and went around to look for the church that gives us "the" wedding feeling.

The planning was actually going smoothly. Google was my best friend. And most of the time, I bugged my Facebook friends who just recently got married to get tips and advices.

We actually also considered having it in Dagupan, but we just didn't get "the" wedding feeling that were looking for.

Then one day, everything changed. While I was randomly talking to my younger brother, Zander, he made me realize what I really want. He remembered how I used to tell him that I would want to get married in Baguio, specifically where Aga and Charlene got hitched. (Simply because I have been crushing Aga for the longest time. Yes, it was that lame.) Then it hit me.

Baguio really has that special place in my heart.

After reality bit me, I immediately told Waldz that I would want to have it in Baguio. No questions asked, he agreed. (Thanks Babe! I'm so lucky!)

Good thing we haven't paid any initial deposits to the suppliers we spoke with. So now we're back to square one.

We know that it will be a little hard to plan the wedding since our location is 6-8 hours away from where we are. And we will only have a few limited weekends to visit Baguio because were both working on weekdays. Good thing we have almost a year to prepare.

We know that it will take a lot of time, money, and effort to go there. But I am really one lucky girl to have such a supportive and optimistic fiancée. He always reassures me that everything will be okay.

And now I am confident and taking that challenge. Game on!

Church Wedding vs. Garden Wedding

Our original choices were Church wedding, garden wedding, and beach wedding. But now were down to two.

It is true that we only get married once. And like most couples too, we also want to have our perfect wedding. When we picture what type of wedding we want, we coincidentally come up with the same ideas. Simple, laid back, and romantic is all that comes to our mind.

A garden wedding is prolly a practical choice. You can set up both the ceremony and reception in one venue. Plus, it is less hassle since you and your guests don't have to travel from one place to another. Waldz wanted a garden wedding like the ones Neri Naig and Chito Miranda had. I, on the other hand, wanted a garden wedding like the ones Karylle Tatlonghari and Yael Yuzon had.

We picture ourselves saying our vows during the sunset in a very romantic garden. But there is really something inside of me that wants to get married in the church.

Waldz and I are both Roman Catholics. We may not be consistently attending Sunday mass, but our Faith never changed.

Church is a very important part of my life,

growing up and now.

I grew up Catholic and I'm definitely getting married Catholic. 

I've always imagined my wedding to be -- in a house of worship, before God and my friends and family. Religion has always been very important to me. And I feel that there is importance to being married in a house of God. Lucky me that I have a partner who shares the same faith and values and agreed to marry me a church.

And since we also really want to have the wedding as cozy as possible, we've  decided to do the reception in a garden. (Yey!)

MY Top Choices Of Wedding Venue: Near & Within The Metro

Since Waldz and I are currently working at Quezon City, our first option is to look for venues near and within Metro Manila. The following are only my personal choices:

**Discalimer: I haven't been to most of this venues and some are only based on their websites and from wedding fairs that I have attended. Some rates are not up to date but I can give you a range as to how much it costs now. Just shoot me a message and I'll try my best to give you and updated price range.


1. Fernwood Gardens

Ever wonder how Cinderella and Prince Charming's wedding will look like? If you want to have a fairytale wedding just like them, this is the perfect venue for you. They have a variety of gardens to choose from depending on your budget and number of expected guests. Plus, they have a carriage which will even make you feel like a Princess on your special day. They also have a small chapel within their vicinity which will make it convenient for you and your guests.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location: Sanville Subdivision Cenacle Drive, Quezon City
Website: www.fernwoodgarden.com

2. Fernbrook Gardens

I personally think that is an upgrade to Fernwood Gardens. The gardens are really admirable (based on the pictures I have seen online and on wedding fairs). They also have a chapel within their premises. But the thing I like best about this place, is that they have a lake and a gondola! This a picture-perfect romantic venue.

Price:  Please refer to this site
Location:  Portofino South, Daang Reyna, Las Pinas, Metro Manila
Website: www.fernbrookgardens.com.ph

3. Casa San Pablo

Everything around here speaks about serenity and there is beauty in every corner for artworks in different forms. This is a place worth visiting by family and friends. Nestled in 7 hectares of land, this place is also a great venue for weddings especially if you're planning to have a rustic or vintage theme.

Price:  Please refer to this site
Location:  Barrio San Roque, San Pablo City, Laguna
Website:  www.casasanpablo.com

4. One Oasis Condominium Clubhouse

The most convenient venue among all my choices since this is where I currently reside. The clubhouse is situated near the swimming pools. It has a lower and upper decks, both very spacious. And this venue is perfect for a luau or laid back parties.

Price:  I think this varies if you're a tenant or an outsider who would want to rent the place.
Location: Ortigas Extension, Pasig City
Website:  www.filinvest.com.ph/one-oasis-ortigas

5. Jardin de Marimar

This is a three-hectare garden venue on the hilly side of Antipolo. The property is divided into several themed areas, each with its own unique character but all are perfect for parties, wedding receptions and other functions. My personal choices were Estacion and Terraza.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location:  San Jose Extension, Antipolo City
Website:  www.miramar.com.ph

6. L'Orchard Garden

This is a charming, simple, and spacious venue perfect for an intimate wedding. The garden is surrounded by shady trees. Plus they have this cute little white fences that you can use as props for your reception.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location:  San Jose Extension, Antipolo City
Website:   www.lorchardgarden.com

7. Casa Espanol

The place is completely wonderful. This is where I first saw how white folding chairs falls perfectly with a garden set up. Ideal for intimate weddings since it is not that spacious.

Price: (not updated) Please refer to this site
Location:  28 francies drive, South Greenpark Village. Mindanao Ave., Quezon City
Website:  casaespanolwedding.wix.com/casaespanolwedding

8.  Frangeli House

This is a big stylish house with a wide front and back yard. It may seem costly but the place is definitely worth every penny! It is the best venue for a laid back garden wedding.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location:  1 St. George Drive, Bakakeng Norte, Baguio
Website:  www.frangelihouse.com

9. Bell Amphitheater

This is a wedding venue which will really set the mood, thanks to its beautiful and natural feel-good ambiance. It’s the perfect setting for weddings and intimate gatherings. It is located at the back of Manor Hotel and is well maintained by Camp John Hay Management.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location:  Historical Core, Camp John Hay, Baguio
Website:  www.facebook.com/pages/Bell-House-Camp-John-Hay/249027125147132?rf=279612375420159

10. Emily's Garden

Emily's garden also have a variety of gardens to choose from. This is the most affordable garden venue in Baguio among the above mentioned. It is simple and gives you a homey and comfortable feeling.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location:  Youngland Rd, Baguio
Website: www.emilysgardensuites.wix.com/oyco

11. Leisure Coast Resort

The venue is spacious and can accommodate up to 500 guests. It is covered area surrounded by tropical flora with lush landscape artistically created to soothe and relax.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location:  Bonuan, Dagupan City
Website: www.leisurecoast.com

12. San Marino Place Clubhouse

The venue is exclusively for home owners but if you know someone who lives there and gives you a written authorization, you will be able to rent the clubhouse. It is situated near the swimming pool and overlooking the famous Dawel River Cruise.

Price: Please refer to this site
Location:  Bonuan, Dagupan City
Website: www.sanmarinoplace.com.ph

You're wedding venue is more than just a setting.

It's the place where memories are made.

Genesis: The Beginning Of The Journey

After a few months of being on cloud nine, comes the reality to face that you need to do a lot of planning for "The Big Day!"

So, now what?!

Lucky for some couple who hire a Full Wedding Coordinator, they only have to lay their cards on how much their budget is and how they would want to maximize it. But there are also a few clueless couples (like us), who could but wouldn't hire a coordinator. In our case, we chose not to hire a full coordinator since we have a strict budget to follow. Although some would really invest on this because they are either too busy or they just want to avoid stress during the preparation.

The first few weeks are always the crucial days since it involves big decision making. This is the period where the couples usually, if not always, argue. Most of the time, it is the bride-to-be who does the initial decisions and asks their groom-to-be to make the final decisions. And usually, the guys just agree to anything you present them. It doesn't mean that they do not care. It is just not their thing. Leave with it, honey. 

I am not an expert here. But this things are all based on my experience. I am also a bride-to-be and I hope my journey will serve as a guide to future brides-to-be.

There is really so much to think about. Now where do we start?

Experience is always the best teacher.

The first thing I did is that I tried to ask some recently married friends. I asked them about their wedding suppliers, the contact details, (and if you're really close) you can even ask them how much the rates are. The advantage of this is that you can ask them their comments about the suppliers on how they work. So don't be shy, send them those Private Messages! I am pretty sure they will recommend only the best of the best. Free consultation, dearies!

After I have the necessary details and feedback, I sorted out which ones will work for me and our budget. For now, my fiancée and I have to decide on the Big 3W's. When? What? Where?

WHEN

January 25, 2016. This will  be our 9th year anniversary! (Yey!) 

WHAT

I have always wanted to have a church wedding and a garden reception, while Waldz would want a beach wedding (hence, the proposal venue--Caramoan Island). The type of wedding is yet to be finalized.

WHERE

Manila? Dagupan? Baguio? We are still undecided. Always remember that there are still a lot to consider in choosing your wedding location. 

It will feel like an overwhelming amount of choices before that, but once your date and wedding venue are confirmed, the rest will start to fall into place.

A Girl's Dream Wedding

They say, every girl has their dream wedding. Some would start dreaming of their wedding at the tender age of 13, while some confess starting their planning at age 6.

Six out of ten single women prolly have already made up their minds about some parts of their big day. After all, many have been planning it since they were little girls. They had chosen their bridesmaids, typically when they were just 18.

From movies, cartoons, TV shows, and magazines, there seems to be tons of emphasis on girls living out some princess fairytale wedding.

Will you believe me if I tell you that growing up, I never really had any dream wedding?

So when my fiancée asked me before, I thought I was just overwhelmed of the idea being of being engaged. But as the days pass, I begin to realize and question myself why I never had this dreams before.

It felt really weird when my friends ask me and it seems like everybody always wants to know what my dream wedding is. And I am like, I have a dream job, a dream house, a dream hubby-to-be, but never had a dream wedding! Don't get me wrong, I am into wedding stuffs, too.

A lot of girls don't have a dream wedding and that is totally fine (I guess), because we dream about other things. But as the saying goes, it is never too late to dream. And I can't wait to turn this dreams into reality!

Tips for Mom: They're Engaged!

Great news: Your daughter or son is getting married!

Before you do anything else, take a moment to savor the thrill of this great news.
Finished? Good. Now roll up your sleeves -- because whether you are deeply involved in every aspect of planning the wedding or whether the bride and groom prefer to rely on you as a sounding board while making the major decisions themselves, it's likely that you're going to find yourself juggling the role of advisor, therapist, communications hub and trouble-shooter. You'll need to be able to:

• Keep the planning process on track without nagging
• Offer guidance without being pushy, and
• Be a rock of supportive encouragement -- even if you disagree with the bride and groom on a particular decision.

All this, of course, is in addition to any specific parental responsibilities that you take on, such as contributing to the guest list, bonding with your daughter's or son's new in-laws, negotiating sticky family situations, and welcoming guests at the big event itself.

Finally, there's the issue of who's going to pay for it all. While the parents of the groom are no longer automatically expected to foot the bill for the ceremony and reception, deciding how to split the expenses can be a delicate matter, requiring the utmost tact and empathy.

Here are four general principles to guide you through the process:

1. Follow the lead of the bride and groom.
No matter how many good ideas you're brimming with (or how many you are contributing to financially), this wedding day belongs to the engaged couple. When you offer suggestions, do so with a light touch, and give way gracefully if your suggestion is overruled.

2. The mother of the groom should defer to the mother of the bride.
In general, the bride's parents lead the way for all of the parents and other relatives. If you want to send out announcements or contribute to the wedding in some way, always discuss your plans with the parents of the bride first -- then adhere to their wishes.

3. Keep backup copies of all key information.
Even if the couple is doing a superb job of planning, you'll stand ready to be a hero whenever a glitch occurs.

4. Communicate on a regular basis.
Regular chats (whether conducted online or verbally) allow you to address problems as soon as they arise and also give you an opportunity to provide ongoing emotional support to the bride and groom.

Mother's Etiquette Alert:

Think before speaking. Your child may want to tell certain friends and family members about the impending nuptials personally, so be sure to coordinate sharing the news with the couple before you begin telling one and all. Also, be careful that in the excitement of the moment you don't mislead those you tell into thinking they're going to be invited to the wedding when this hasn't yet been determined. People will invariably ask for details about the upcoming nuptials. If the person doing the asking is on your 'maybe' invitation list --or isn't on the list at all-- simply reply that the wedding plans haven't been drawn up yet or prepare your questioner for a non-invitation by saying something like, "It looks like we will be having a fairly small wedding..." Vagueness is always a far better approach than making a misleading comment and causing hurt feelings. "I hope you'll be able to come to the wedding!" should be reserved strictly for people you're absolutely certain you'll be inviting.

Short Engagaement vs. Long Engagement

When a couple gets engaged, the first thing that happens is the stress. Planning a wedding is incredibly, incredibly stressful, and many might be tempted to just shorten it all and get the wedding over with so they can move on to being married.

Apparently most couples manage to resist this urge. Huffington Post just ran a survey showing that the average length of an engagement is 13 to 18 months. Despite this desire to rush to the altar, most couples, including us, do wait. And I believe it's a good thing.

A short engagement (six months or less) really only makes sense if you have already been with your spouse for a long time and the marriage is just a formality. But in our case, we chose to have a longer engagement so that we can save up and pay for our own wedding. Otherwise, especially for couples who have been together a year or less, a long engagement (more than one year)is very important. Here are five reasons to be engaged for more than one year:

• You have your whole life to be married
When you are first getting married, you want forever to start RIGHT NOW. There is no reason to rush into it.

• Weddings are stressful
It takes time to plan a wedding. If you are eloping or having a small wedding, by all means, have a short engagement. But some venues or churches book up a YEAR in advance. So if you have your heart set on it, it's best to wait.

• Engagements end
Sorry to burst your happiness bubble, but engagement is way easier to call off than a marriage. Give it time. Let it settle. Plan together.

• It's a fun time
You are only engaged for one VERY brief period of your whole life. People are happy and excited for you. It's a special time in anyone's life, so why rush into the marriage. Relax and enjoy it!

• You need to know each other
For some people, six months into a relationship, they get engaged. Six months later they get married and then six months later they are pregnant. Eighteen months together is NOT enough time to know you're compatible as partners and parents. It just isn't. I have heard that it takes three full rounds of each season (three years) to get to really know one another. That's a good rule of thumb. Good thing we're more than 8 years toegether now, yey!

DISCLAIMER: This are all just from my point of view. I am not saying that those who had a shorter engagement do not end up being happily married.

Marriage is a life-changing decision. And you must be sure that you are whole heartedly marrying the guy you want to spend the rest of your life with. 113th day of being engaged, and I'm enjoying every bit of it! :)

Planning your wedding Guest List: Who makes the cut?!

One of the most sensitive subjects that you will tackle while planning your wedding is the guest list. While both the bride and groom may think that they will be able to invite everyone they want to, this is often not a possibility. The choice of who to invite to the your wedding needs to be a mutual agreement between you and your fiancé, and the truth is there are some people on your personal guest list that will not make the cut.

When you imagine your dream wedding, is it really filled with everyone on your Facebook page? People you choose to invite will fall under a number of categories, but not all of them will be obvious.

No-brainers
There are certain people both of you will agree on as no-brainers to attend the wedding, but there is still the question of whether they need an actual invitation. Immediate family members and the bridal party, for example, may have already been verbally invited but it is still good etiquette to send them an invitation.

Prune the family tree
Although you may be getting mutual pressure from your individual families to invite second cousins, great-great uncles and children of your guests, you and your fiancé have to come to a mutual agreement as to where the cut-off point for your family members will be. You should consider the costs, and if parents are funding the wedding you should seek feedback from them about what family members are essential guests. However, you must make it clear the ultimate decision is yours.

What about single friends?
It is certain that you both have friends who either haven’t married yet or are divorced. You may have met some of their significant others, while some you may not know at all. In this case, the right thing to do is not to make assumptions. However, you need to be certain that if you send these individuals +1 invitations that you are comfortable meeting the unfamiliar people they may bring. Although it should be their choice whether or not to go to a wedding stag, you are well within your rights to restrict +1 invitations to the bridal party and groomsmen.

No shows
There are always those who will not be able to make it to the wedding, and whether or not to send them invitations can be a tough call. If you decide to send an invite, make sure it is to those with whom you are close. They will appreciate the time that you took to send the invitation. Those you are not as close with may still feel obligated to send a gift and not be as happy to see your invite.

Old flames
This is the most common cause for friction when putting together the guest list. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. For your part, just because you feel comfortable inviting an ex does not mean that your fiancé does. Have an honest conversation about both of your feelings on the matter before pressing the issue. Keep in mind that this is your day, looking toward the future, and it is not a time to be dwelling in the past.

Remember that you and your partner are the ones that make the rules — and there is an exception to every rule. Be prepared for some hurt feelings if you have to trim the list too severely, but this is a day for the two of you. Anyone else that shares in your joy is a bonus.

The Basics in Planning a Wedding

He popped the question. You said yes. Hooray!

So what are you supposed to do now?

Answer: Stare at your ring for the rest of your life! Kidding!

Now that you have a ring on your finger what should be the first thing you do? I’ll be quite honest, I believe the direction you go is dependent on each couple.

But I have here a guide on what to do next (you know, right after you call your mom and inform the VIPs in your life):


* Sit Down with your Fiancé

Before you pick a date, venue, or even set your budget, talk with each other about what is important to you and where your priorities lie. Once you and your finance are on the same page, sit and chat with all money contributing parties. Like it or not, if parents are paying for part/all of the wedding, their opinion matters.

* Set a Date (Even If It’s Not the Date)

After  “congratulations” and “let me see your ring,” here’s the first thing people will ask: “When’s the wedding?” It’ll save you lots of headaches if the two of you come up with a vague-yet-specific answer, like “We’re shooting for early 2016” or “We like the idea of a summer wedding.” People appreciate feeling like they’re in the loop, and they’ll also put the event into their mental datebooks. Plus, it’ll give you and your guy a little direction as you start planning. Also, in the long run, have 2-3 dates in mind that you would like to get married. Make sure they work with the key players in your family, especially those who might be travelling. Consider high traffic travel dates for out of town guests and hotel availability.

* Create a Wedding Blog

Now that you’ve told everyone the good news, set up a wedding site or blog to keep everyone apprised of your nuptial news. Post photos, write your “how we met” story, and have a guestbook (make it as personal and interactive as you want). Get the bare bones up first. Later on, you can get fancy with wedding details, hotel advice, maps, quizzes, daily thoughts and whatever other wedding whimsies you want to share. Send it around to those who ask, but be prepared for the fact that your mom and your BFF may be the only ones who want to read it.

Sharing with you our wedsite, #WaldzLovesMymy

* Daydream (a Lot)

Get a bunch of wedding magazines, watch romantic wedding movies for feel-good tears, look at maps for honeymoon ideas, blog-stalk engagement sites. Give yourself permission to let your brain turn into its own wedding channel. If you haven’t been planning your wedding since you turned five, that’s OK. Now’s a good time to collect ideas that inspire you and to learn what you want—and-don’t-want in your wedding.

* Plan a Night Out With Just Your Fiancé

Until the celebrations and parties and wedding are finally over, there’s not going to be much “just the two of you” moments. Get in some good face time with each other now and make it a point not to talk wedding details. Yes, there’s a ton to do, but for now, it’s perfectly OK to hit the town and celebrate --- just you and him.

* Get a Wedding Planner

No, not a wedding planner person, at least not yet. Get an iPhone app, a datebook, a calendar or some other kind of keep-organized device to help you create a timeline for major wedding-related tasks. While you’re at it, pick up a wedding-planning binder to keep all those inspirational ideas you find.

* Think About Whether You Want a Wedding Coordinator or Want to Go It Alone

Review the elements of your wedding that’ll take a little planning (negotiating with bakers and caterers for the best prices, finding the ideal venue, organizing party favors) and figure out if those are tasks you want to tackle alone or if you’d rather hire a wedding planner (Stress reduction and a little time-saving sounds nice, right?). Keep in mind that a wedding coordinator will cost extra money, so make sure the option fits into your budget before you give it serious consideration.

* Start a Wedding Savings Account

Remember that even a simple, small wedding costs money (and sometimes a lot more money than you would ever imagine). A wedding savings account is an easy way to keep cash accumulating for the big day, so you don’t have to rely on plastic to bear the brunt later on. Open a basic savings account at any bank (or look online for higher interest) and set amount every paycheck that’ll go toward wedding-related expenses only.

* Ask Your Parents (and His) for Their Ideal Guest Lists

Before you start putting a number on how many guests you want, it’s time to ask both your parents about whom they’d most want to invite. Be sure to tell them this is just a preliminary list and things might change. After you have their “dream” lists, you can add and edit and trim. This will be essential for finding the perfect venue and setting your budget.

* Choose Your Venue (Church and Reception)

If location is important to you, choose your venue before approaching wedding professionals. One of the first things wedding pros ask is date and location. When choosing your location, make sure to take a list of questions to ask at your walk through. (Some of the most important things to ask are: What is the max capacity? Do they have in house catering? What is included in the price?)

* Choose Your Wedding Professionals

Once you are at this point start booking your wedding pro’s in priority order. Dates can fill up fast, especially in the busy wedding season. Don’t wait to connect with a photographer, caterer, or florist you really want. If you hold off, they might be gone by the time you are ready to book.

* Chill Out and Have Fun!

Take time to relax. Get a massage, sleep in when you can. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event purely about you and your fiancé. You are allowed to enjoy it!